Soft treated tissue product

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet-pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 14.0 grams per square meter or greater. Despite having relatively high per-ply basis weights, the products are generally soft and flexible, such as having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 10.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20.0. While being soft and flexible, the tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a geometric mean tensile (GMT) greater than about 1,000 g/3″.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers desire a soft tissue, but they also want the tissue to bethick, absorbent, and durable to protect their hands when they blow. Theconsumers' desires present a dilemma for the tissue maker—thickness andabsorbency may be achieved by increasing the basis weight of the tissue,but at the expense of increasing stiffness which reduces softness.Increasing basis weight also impairs softness by making the tissue webmore difficult to process by creping as conventional creping chemistriesare limited in their ability to produce a fine crepe structure at higherbasis weights.

Some of the foregoing limitations may be overcome by treating the tissueweb with a chemical softener after it has been dried and creped. Thesechemical additions, often referred to as post-treatment, however, addcost and complexity to the manufacturing process. Further,post-treatments are only so effective and may not contribute sufficientsurface softness to overcome softness deficiencies of the base tissueweb caused by increased stiffness.

One option for producing soft, high basis weight, tissue productswithout resorting to chemical post-treatments is described in U.S. Pat.No. 9,499,942 to Zwick et al. The '942 patent describes the use of anovel non-fibrous olefin polymer creping chemistry to improve theresulting tissue product softness. While the '942 patent enablesimproved tissue product softness, the non-fibrous olefin polymer crepingchemistry is deposited on the tissue surface making it hydrophobic,which limits the types and amount of chemical softeners that may beadded to further improve softness.

As such, a need currently exists for a tissue product that balancessoftness and strength and can be produced using conventional crepingchemistries. There is also a need for a tissue product produced usingconventional creping chemistry that balances stiffness and basis weightsuch that the tissue maker may produce a soft, yet thick and absorbenttissue. Further, there remains a need for a conventionally creped tissueproduct, the softness of which may be further enhanced by the additionof chemical softeners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite the tendency of increased tensile strength to negatively affectsoftness, the present invention surprisingly provides a creped tissueproduct having both a relatively high degree of tensile strength and arelatively high degree of softness, as measured using the TissueSoftness Analyzer (TSA). Surprisingly the soft and strong tissueproducts of the present invention are prepared by conventionalwet-pressed tissue manufacturing process and creped using conventionalcreping compositions such as, for example, a creping adhesive and arelease agent, both of which may be a water soluble polymers.

Accordingly, in certain preferred embodiments the inventive productscomprise creped wet-pressed tissue plies that have been creped usingwater soluble adhesive and release agents selected from the groupcomprising polyvinyl alcohol, starch, carboxy-methyl cellulose,poly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrin (PAAE), polyamide epichlorohydrin(PAE), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and polymeric quaternary ammoniumcompounds. The plies may be manufactured by applying the adhesive agentand release agent to the dryer (on a mass basis) at a ratio from about1.5:1 to about 0.75:1, such as from about 1.25:1 to about 0.8:1. Thetotal amount of creping composition applied to the dryer is generallyless than about 12.0 mg/m².

The use of conventional creping compositions yields tissue webs that areamendable to surface treatment with softeners such as, for example, asoftening composition comprising one or more of polysiloxane,fatty-alkyl derivatives and/or glycerin. As such, in certain preferredembodiments, the present invention provides creped tissue products,particularly tissue products manufactured by a conventional wet-pressedtissue manufacturing process, comprising one or more actives disposed onthe surface of the tissue product where the product has a TS7 value ofabout 10.0 or less.

The softness improvements are surprisingly achieved despite an increasein tensile strength. For example, in certain embodiments the tissueproducts may have a geometric mean tensile (GMT) of about 1,000 g/3″ orgreater, such as from about 1,000 to about 1,200 g/3″, and a TS7 ofabout 10.0 or less, such as from about 8.0 to about 10.0.

In one particularly preferred embodiment the present invention providesa treated tissue product comprising three creped, wet-pressed tissueplies arranged in facing relation with one another and forming a firstand a second outer surface of the tissue product and a chemical softenerdisposed on at least one of the product outer surfaces, the producthaving a geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) of about 1,000 g/3″ orgreater and TS7 less than about 10.0.

In still other embodiments the softness improvements are surprisinglyachieved despite the tissue products having a relatively high basisweight, such as each ply of the tissue product having a basis weight ofabout 14.0 grams per square meter (gsm) or greater, such as from about14.0 to about 15.5 gsm. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment, theinvention provides a tissue product comprising three creped, wet-pressedtissue plies, each ply having a basis weight of about 14.0 gsm orgreater, the tissue product having a first outer surface, a second outersurface and a softening composition disposed on at least the first orsecond outer surface, the tissue product having a geometric mean tensile(GMT) of about 1,000 g/3″ or greater and a TS7 of about 10.0 or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is graph of GMT (g/3″) of versus TS7 for inventive (▪) andcommercial tissue products (●);

FIG. 2 is graph of Basis Weight (gsm) of versus TS7 for inventive (▪)and commercial tissue products (●);

FIG. 3 is graph of Stiffness Index versus TS7 for inventive (▪) andcommercial tissue products (●);

FIG. 4 is graph of TS7 of versus the ratio of GMT (having units of g/3″)to Per-Ply Basis Weight (PPBW) (having units of grams per square meter)for inventive (▪) and commercial tissue products (●);

FIG. 5 is graph of GMT (g/3″) of versus TS7 for inventive (▪) andcontrol (●) samples prepared according to the present example; and

FIG. 6 is graph of TS7 of versus the ratio of GMT (having units of g/3″)to Per-Ply Basis Weight (having units of grams per square meter) forinventive (▪) and control (●) samples prepared according to the presentexample.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the term “Conventional Creping Composition” generallyrefers to a composition applied to the dryer surface during themanufacture of creped tissue products, the composition comprising atleast one water soluble polymer selected from f polyvinyl alcohol,starch, carboxy-methyl cellulose, poly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrin(PAAE), polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE), polyethyleneimine (PEI), andpolymeric quaternary ammonium compounds. In certain preferredembodiments the conventional creping composition comprises an adhesiveand a release agent, where the adhesive and release agents havedifferent compositions.

As used herein the term “Wet-Pressed” generally refers to a tissuemanufacturing process, and tissue products made thereby, where prior tothe nascent tissue web being transferred to the dryer surface, such as aYankee dryer, water is expressed from the web and absorbed by a waterpermeable belt such as a press felt, or the like. The absorption ofwater by the belt increases the consistency of the web. Typically, theconsistency of the web is increased to about 40 percent solids or moreas it is pressed. The pressed and partially dewatered web is thentransferred to a dryer surface where it is dried and removed by creping.

As used herein the term “Basesheet” refers to a tissue web formed by anyone of the papermaking processes described herein that has not beensubjected to further processing, such as embossing, calendering,treatment with a binder or softening composition, perforating, plying,folding, or rolling into individual rolled products.

As used herein the term “Tissue Product” refers to products made frombasesheets and includes, bath tissues, facial tissues, paper towels,industrial wipers, foodservice wipers, napkins, medical pads, and othersimilar products.

As used herein the term “Ply” refers to a discrete tissue web used toform a tissue product. Individual plies may be arranged in juxtapositionto each other.

As used herein, the term “Layer” refers to a plurality of strata offibers, chemical treatments, or the like, within a ply. The term“Layered Tissue Web” generally refers to a tissue web formed from two ormore layers of aqueous papermaking furnish. In certain instances, theaqueous papermaking furnish forming two or more of the layers comprisesdifferent fiber types.

As used herein the term “Basis Weight” generally refers to the bone dryweight per unit area of a tissue product and is generally expressed asgrams per square meter (gsm). Basis weight is measured as described inthe Test Methods section below. While the basis weights of tissueproducts prepared according to the present invention may vary, incertain embodiments the products have a basis weight greater than about42.0 gsm, such as greater than about 42.5 gsm, such as greater thanabout 43.0 gsm, such as from about 42.0 to about 48.0 gsm, such as fromabout 42.0 to about 46.0 gsm.

As used herein the term “Per-Ply Basis Weight” generally refers to thebone dry weight per unit area of a tissue product divided by the numberof tissue product plies. Basis weight is measured as described in theTest Methods section below. While the per-ply basis weights of tissueproducts prepared according to the present invention may vary, incertain embodiments the products have a per-ply basis weight greaterthan about 14.0 gsm.

As used herein, the term “Caliper” refers to the thickness of a tissueproduct, web, sheet, or ply, typically having units of microns (μm) andis measured as described in the Test Methods section below. Tissueproducts produced according to the present invention may be relativelythick and provide good substance in hand.

As used herein, the term “Sheet Bulk” refers to the quotient of thecaliper (μm) divided by the bone dry basis weight (gsm). The resultingsheet bulk is expressed in cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g). Tissueproducts prepared according to the present invention may, in certainembodiments, have a sheet bulk greater than about 8.0 cc/g, morepreferably greater than about 9.0 cc/g and still more preferably greaterthan about 10.0 cc/g.

As used herein, the term “Slope” refers to the slope of the lineresulting from plotting tensile versus stretch and is an output of theMTS TestWorks™ in the course of determining the tensile strength asdescribed in the Test Methods section herein. Slope typically has unitsof kilograms (kg) and is measured as the gradient of the least-squaresline fitted to the load-corrected strain points falling between aspecimen-generated force of 70 to 157 grams (0.687 to 1.540 N).

As used herein, the term “Geometric Mean Slope” (GM Slope) generallyrefers to the square root of the product of machine direction slope andcross-machine direction slope. While the GM Slope may vary amongsttissue products prepared according to the present invention, in certainembodiments, tissue products may have a GM Slope of about 16.0 kg orless, such as about 15.0 kg or less, such as about 13.0 kg or less, suchas from about 10.0 to about 13.0 kg, such as from about 10.5 to about12.5 kg.

As used herein, the term “Geometric Mean Tensile” (GMT) refers to thesquare root of the product of the machine direction tensile strength andthe cross-machine direction tensile strength of the web. The GMT oftissue products prepared according to the present invention may vary,however, in certain instances the GMT may be at least about 1,000 g/3″or greater, such as about 1,050 g/3″ or greater, such as about 1,100g/3″ or greater, such as about 1,150 g/3″ or greater, such as about1,200 g/3″ or greater, such as from about 1,000 to about 1250 g/3″, suchas form about 1,050 to about 1,200 g/3″.

As used herein, the term “Stiffness Index” refers to the quotient of thegeometric mean tensile slope, defined as the square root of the productof the MD and CD slopes (having units of kg), divided by the geometricmean tensile strength (having units of grams per three inches).

${{Stiffness}{Index}} = {\frac{\sqrt{\left. {\left. {{MD}{Tensile}{Slope}\left( {kg} \right.} \right) \times {CD}{Tensile}{Slope}\left( {kg} \right.} \right)}}{GM{T\left( {g/3^{''}} \right)}} \times 1,000}$

While the Stiffness Index of tissue products prepared according to thepresent invention may vary, in certain instances the Stiffness Index maybe about 20.0 or less, such as about 18.0 or less, such as about 16.0 orless, such as from about 8.0 to about 20.0, more preferably from about10.0 to about 16.0 and still more preferably from about 10.0 to about12.0.

As used herein, the term “Wet/Dry Ratio” refers to the ratio of the wetcross-machine direction (CD) tensile strength to the dry CD tensilestrength. Wet and dry CD tensile are measured as set forth in the TestMethods section below. The Wet/Dry Ratio of inventive tissue productsmay vary depending on several factors such as, for example, the crepingcomposition and the amount of wet strength additive, however, in certaininstances the inventive tissue products may have a Wet/Dry Ratio ofabout 0.20 or greater, such about 0.25 or greater, such as from about0.20 to about 0.30, such as from about 0.22 to about 0.28.

As used herein, the term “TS7” generally refers to the softness of atissue product surface measured using an EMTEC Tissue Softness Analyzer(“Emtec TSA”) (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) interfaced witha computer running Emtec TSA software (version 3.19 or equivalent). Theunits of the TS7 are dB V2 rms, however, TS7 values are often referredto herein without reference to units. Generally, the TS7 is themagnitude of the peak occurring at a frequency between 6 and 7 kHz whichis produced by vibration of the tissue product during the testprocedure. Generally, a peak in this frequency range having a loweramplitude, and hence a lower TS7 value, is indicative of a softer tissueproduct.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention is directed to a tissue product,particularly a tissue product produced using a creped, wet-pressedprocess, having both a relatively high degree of strength and softness.Despite the relatively high strength, such as geometric mean tensile(GMT) strength greater than about 1,000 g/3″, the tissue products haveimproved softness (measured as TS7, where a lower value indicates asofter product) and stiffness compared to similarly manufactured tissueproducts. The discovery that of creped, wet-pressed tissue producthaving both high strength and softness is surprising as the twoproperties are typically inversely related. Here, however, the inventorshave overcome several limitations of the creped, wet-pressed tissuemanufacturing process, by optimizing the creping chemistry and add-on,to produce a tissue product that is both soft and strong.

Accordingly, in certain instances the negative effects often associatedwith increasing tensile strength have been overcome by altering thecreping conditions, which in-turn, have altered the surface propertiesof the resulting tissue web increasing its softness. Further, becausethe products are creped using conventional creping chemistries, they maybe post-treated with hydrophobic softeners that further increasesoftness. Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides acreped, wet-pressed tissue product having a softening compositiondisposed thereon, the product having a GMT greater than about 1,000 g/3″and TS7 of about 10.0 or less.

Generally, the GMT of the inventive tissue products is least about 1,000g/3″, such as about 1,050 g/3″ or greater, such as about 1,100 g/3″ orgreater, such as about 1,150 g/3″ or greater, such as about 1,200 g/3″or greater, such as from about 1,000 to about 1,250 g/3″, such as formabout 1,050 to about 1,200 g/3″. At the foregoing tensile strengths, theinventive tissue products generally have a TS7 of about 10.00 or less,such as about 9.75 or less, such as about 9.50 or less, such as fromabout 8.00 to about 10.00.

In certain instances, the inventive tissue products may also be producedat relatively high basis weights, such as per-ply basis weights of about14.0 grams per square meter (gsm) or greater, such as about 14.25 gsm orgreater, such as about 14.50 gsm or greater, such as from about 14.0 toabout 16.0 gsm per-ply, such as from about 14.0 to about 15.0 gsmper-ply. In certain embodiments the tissue products may comprise threeplies and have a basis weight of about 42.0 gsm or greater, such asabout 42.5 gsm or greater, such as about 43.0 gsm or greater, such asfrom about 42.0 to about 46.0 gsm, such as from about 42.0 to about 45.0gsm, such as from about 42.0 to about 44.0 gsm.

Further, in certain instances increases in basis weight, particularlyper-ply basis weight, may be accompanied by a commensurate increase intensile strength without negatively affecting stiffness or softness.Thus, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to maintain the ratioof tensile strength (measured as geometric mean tensile strength andhaving units of grams per three inches), to per-ply basis weight (bonedry basis weight having units of grams per square meter) in the rangefrom about 70 to about 75, such as from about 70 to about 74, such asfrom about 70 to 73. For example, in a particularly preferredembodiment, tissue products of the present invention consist of threeplies, where each of the plies is a creped, wet-pressed tissue ply, theproduct having a GMT from about 1,000 to about 1,200 g/3″ and a ratio oftensile strength, measured as GMT, to per-ply basis weight in the rangefrom 70 to 75.

Despite having increased basis weights, particularly for multi-plycreped, wet-pressed products, the inventive tissue products generallyhave relatively low degrees of stiffness. For example, the inventivetissue products may comprise three plies where each ply has a basisweight of about 14.0 gsm or greater and a Stiffness Index of about 20.0or less, such as about 18.0 or less, such as about 16.0 or less, such asfrom about 8.0 to about 20.0, more preferably from about 10.0 to about16.0, and still more preferably from about 10.0 to about 12.0. The lowdegree of stiffness demonstrated by the inventive tissue products issurprising because increases in basis weight often increase thethickness of the tissue sheet and negatively affect creping performance,both of which stiffen the sheet and reduce softness.

In other instances the inventive tissue products may have a GMT of atleast about 1,000 g/3″, such as about 1,050 g/3″ or greater, such asabout 1,100 g/3″ or greater, such as about 1,150 g/3″ or greater, suchas about 1,200 g/3″ or greater, such as from about 1,000 to about 1250g/3″, such as from about 1,050 to about 1,200 g/3″ and a geometric meanslope (GM Slope) of about 12.0 kg or less, such as about 11.5 kg orless, such as about 11.0 kg or less, such as from about 10.0 to about12.0 kg, such as from about 10.5 to about 11.5 kg.

In certain preferred embodiments the inventive tissue products maycomprise three tissue plies, where each ply is a creped, wet-pressedtissue ply having a basis weight of at least about 14.0 gsm, theproducts having a GMT of at least about 1,000 g/3″ and a Stiffness Indexof about 12.0 or less.

The decrease in stiffness may also be accompanied by a commensurateimprovement in softness, such as the products having a Stiffness Indexof about 20.0 or less, such as about 18.0 or less, such as about 16.0 orless, such as from about 8.0 to about 20.0, more preferably from about10.0 to about 16.0 and still more preferably from about 10.0 to about12.0, and a TS7 value (a measure of softness where a lower valueindicates a softer tissue) of about 10.00 or less, such as about 9.75 orless, such as about 9.50 or less, such as from about 8.00 to about10.00.

Compared to commercially available tissue products, the inventiveproducts are generally softer and less stiff despite having higher GMTand increased per-ply basis weight, as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Per-ply GMT: Basis GM Basis Per-ply Weight GMT Slope StiffnessWeight Basis Sample (gsm) (g/3″) (kg) Index TS7 (gsm) Weight Great ValueUltra Soft 41.2 1137 20.41 18.0 11.0 13.7 82.7 Kleenex Ultra Soft FacialTissue 38.7 971 10.45 10.8 9.6 12.9 75.3 Kleenex Lotion Facial Tissue41.7 1093 16.43 15.0 10.7 13.9 78.6 Up & Up Ultra Facial Tissue 39.11075 13.03 12.1 11.2 13.0 82.5 Scotties Ultra Facial Tissue 40.1 86519.65 22.7 10.5 13.4 64.7 Inventive 43.2 1027 12.09 11.8 9.6 14.4 71.4Inventive 43.7 1053 12.19 11.6 9.5 14.6 72.4

Altering manufacturing conditions such as basis weight, crepe ratio, theamount of creping composition add-on and the ratio of adhesive andrelease agents in the creping composition may improve the physicalproperties of the resulting issue products, such as the product'sstiffness and softness. Further, in certain instances, the tissueproduct's absorbency may be improved. For example, tissue productsprepared according to the present invention generally have a SpecificAbsorbency greater than about 8.0 g/g, more preferably about 8.5 g/g orgreater, such as from about 8.0 to about 10.0 g/g, despite comprisingplies having a basis weight greater than about 14.0 gsm.

Not only do the inventive tissue products have a relatively high degreeof absorbency at higher basis weights, but they also have surprisinglygood wet tensile performance. For example, in certain embodiments, thetissue products of the present invention have a cross-machined directionwet tensile (CDWT) of about 150 g/3″ or greater, such as from about 150to about 200 g/3″. In certain instances, the ratio of cross-machineddirection wet tensile to cross-machine direction dry tensile (CDWT:CDT,Wet/Dry Ratio) may be at least about 0.25, such as from about 0.25 toabout 0.30.

Generally the inventive tissue products of the present invention areusing conventional creping compositions. Not only may the tissueproducts be prepared using conventional creping compositions, but thedesirable physical properties may also be achieved without the use ofsurface modifiers, such as thermoplastic resins and more particularlythe non-fibrous olefin polymers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,807,023.The use of thermoplastic resins as components of the creping compositiontypically increases the cost of manufacture, introduces manufacturingcomplexities, and may compromise one or more important physicalproperties such as rate of absorbency. Thus, in particularly preferredembodiments, the tissue products of the present invention aremanufactured by partially dewatering the tissue web with a press feltand then pressing the partially dewatered web onto a dryer surface.Preferably the dryer surface is treated with a conventional crepingcomposition comprising an adhesive and a release agent.

In other embodiments, the inventive tissue products are produced usingconventional creping compositions and then post-treated with a softeningcomposition. Generally, the foregoing treatments are applied to at leastone outer surface of the tissue web after the web has been finally driedand creped, i.e., post-treated. Post treatment may be performed usingany one of a number of well-known methods including, for example, byprinting, spraying, coating, or the like.

In particularly preferred embodiments the tissue products of the presentinvention are post-treated with a softening composition comprising oneor more of polysiloxane, fatty alkyl derivatives and glycerin(hereinafter referred to as “actives”). Hence in one aspect, the presentinvention provides a tissue product comprising a topically-appliedsoftening composition, the softening composition comprising, based onthe amount of actives in the composition, from about 5 to about 40weight percent polysiloxane, from about 10 to about 50 weight percent ofa fatty alkyl derivative, from about 20 to about 80 weight percentglycerin and from 0 to about 10 weight percent formulation aids and/orskin beneficial agents. In a particularly preferred embodiment, thepresent invention provides a tissue product consisting of three plies,wherein each ply has a basis weight from about 14.0 to about 15.0 gsm,and the plies forming the outer surfaces of the tissue product have asoftening composition comprising one or more polysiloxanes, a fattyalkyl derivative and glycerin disposed thereon.

The amount of the softening composition actives in the tissue can be,based on the dry weight of the tissue, from about 0.2 to about 20 weightpercent, more specifically from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent,more specifically from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent and stillmore specifically from about 1 to about 3 weight percent.

Tissue products of the present invention generally comprise cellulosicfibers and more preferably wood pulp fibers. Wood pulp fibers may beprepared using a number of different wood species and different pulpingprocesses. For example, the wood pulp fibers may be kraft pulp fibers,sulfite pulp fibers or thermomechanical pulp fibers. Further, the woodfibers may have any high-average fiber length wood pulp, low-averagefiber length wood pulp, or mixtures of the same. One example of suitablehigh-average length wood pulp fibers include softwood fibers such as,but not limited to, northern softwood, southern softwood, redwood, redcedar, hemlock, pine (e.g., southern pines), spruce (e.g., blackspruce), combinations thereof, and the like. One example of suitablelow-average length wood fibers include hardwood fibers, such as, but notlimited to, eucalyptus, maple, birch, aspen, and the like, which canalso be used. In certain instances, eucalyptus fibers may beparticularly desired to increase the softness of the web. Eucalyptusfibers can also enhance the brightness, increase the opacity, and changethe pore structure of the web to increase its wicking ability. Moreover,if desired, secondary fibers obtained from recycled materials may beused, such as secondary fibers derived from newsprint, reclaimedpaperboard, or office waste.

In certain embodiments tissue products may be formed from one or morebasesheets, which may comprise a single homogenous or blended layer, orbe multi-layered. In those instances where the basesheet ismulti-layered it may comprise, two, three, or more layers. For example,the basesheet may comprise three layers such as first and second outerlayers and a middle layer disposed there between. The layers maycomprise the same or different fiber types. For example, the first andsecond outer layers may comprise short, low coarseness wood pulp fibers,such as hardwood kraft pulp fibers, and the middle layer may compriselong, low coarseness wood pulp fibers, such as northern softwood kraftpulp fibers.

In those instances where the web comprises multiple layers, the relativeweight percentage of each layer may vary. For example, the web maycomprise first and second outer layers and a middle layer where thefirst outer layer comprises from about 25 to about 35 weight percent ofthe layered web, the middle layer comprises from about 30 to about 50weight percent of the layered web and the second outer layer comprisesfrom about 25 to about 35 weight percent of the layered web.

Multi-layered basesheets useful in the present invention may be formedusing any number of different processes known in the art, such as theprocess disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,988, the contents of which areincorporated herein in a manner consistent with the present invention.Generally, tissue webs are prepared by preparing a dilute aqueoussuspension of papermaking fibers and dispersing the aqueous suspensionfrom a headbox having an upper headbox wall and a lower headbox wall andfirst and second dividers. In this manner the headbox may be used toform a basesheet having outer layers and a middle layer, where each ofthe layers may comprise the same or different papermaking fibers.

To form the multi-layered basesheet, an endless traveling formingfabric, suitably supported, and driven by rolls, receives the layeredpapermaking stock issuing from the headbox. Once retained on the fabric,the layered fiber suspension passes water through the fabric. Waterremoval is achieved by combinations of gravity, centrifugal force andvacuum suction depending on the forming configuration.

In general, any process capable of forming a basesheet may be utilizedin the present invention. For example, an endless traveling formingfabric, suitably supported, and driven by rolls, receives the layeredpapermaking stock issuing from the headbox. Once retained on the fabric,the layered fiber suspension passes water through the fabric. Waterremoval is achieved by combinations of gravity, centrifugal force andvacuum suction depending on the forming configuration. Formingmulti-layered paper webs is also described and disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,129,988, which is incorporated herein by reference in a mannerthat is consistent herewith.

In certain embodiments the aqueous fiber furnish, or more layers of alayered tissue web, such as the middle layer, may be formed without asubstantial amount of inner fiber-to-fiber bond strength. In thisregard, the fiber furnish used to form the web, or a given layer, can betreated with a chemical debonding agent. The debonding agent can beadded to the aqueous fiber suspension during the pulping process or canbe added directly to the fiber suspension prior to the headbox. Suitabledebonding agents that may be used in the present invention includecationic debonding agents, particularly quaternary ammonium compounds,mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds with polyhydroxy compounds,and modified polysiloxanes.

Suitable cationic debonding agents include, for example, fatty dialkylquaternary amine salts, mono fatty alkyl tertiary amine salts, primaryamine salts, imidazoline quaternary salts and unsaturated fatty alkylamine salts. Other suitable debonding agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,529,665, the contents of which are incorporated herein in a mannerconsistent with the present invention. In one embodiment, the debondingagent used in the process of the present invention is an organicquaternary ammonium chloride, such as those sold under the trade nameProSoft™ (Solenis, Wilmington, Del.). The debonding agent can be addedto the fiber slurry in an amount of from about 1.0 kg per metric ton toabout 15 kg per metric ton of fibers present within the slurry.

Particularly useful quaternary ammonium debonders include imidazolinequaternary ammonium debonders, such as oleyl-imidazoline quaternaries,dialkyl dimethyl quaternary debonders, ester quaternary debonders,diamidoamine quaternary debonders, and the like. The imidazoline-baseddebonding agent can be added in an amount of between 1.0 to about 10.0kg per metric tonne.

In other embodiments, a layer or other portion of the basesheet,including the entire basesheet, may optionally include wet or drystrength agents. As used herein, “wet strength agents” are materialsused to immobilize the bonds between fibers in the wet state. Anymaterial that when added to the tissue web at an effective level resultsin providing the basesheet with a wet geometric tensile strength:drygeometric tensile strength ratio in excess of 0.1 will, for purposes ofthis invention, be termed a wet strength agent.

Particularly preferred wet strength agents are permanent wet strengthagents. Particularly preferred wet strength agents are water-soluble,cationic materials, particularly those that undergo a cross-linking orother curing reactions after they have been deposited on, within, oramong the papermaking fibers. Of particular utility are the variouspolyamide-epichlorohydrin resins. These materials are low molecularweight polymers provided with reactive functional groups such as amino,epoxy, and azetidinium groups. Polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins soldunder the trade name Kymene™ (Solenis, Wilmington, Del.) areparticularly useful in this invention.

In other instances, the basesheet may optionally include a dry strengthadditive, such as carboxymethyl cellulose resins, starch based resins,and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred dry strength additives arecationic starches, and mixtures of cationic and anionic starches. Incertain instances, the dry strength agent may comprise those sold underthe trade name RediBOND™ (Ingredion, Westchester, Ill.).

The amount of wet strength agent or dry strength added to the pulpfibers can be at least about 0.1 dry weight percent, more specificallyabout 0.2 dry weight percent or greater, and still more specificallyfrom about 0.1 to about 3 dry weight percent, based on the dry weight ofthe fibers.

Preferably the formed web is dried by transfer to the surface of arotatable heated dryer drum, such as a Yankee dryer. In accordance withthe present invention, the creping composition may be applied topicallyto the tissue web while the web is traveling on the fabric or may beapplied to the surface of the dryer drum for transfer onto one side ofthe tissue web. In this manner, the creping composition is used toadhere the tissue web to the dryer drum. In this embodiment, as the webis carried through a portion of the rotational path of the dryersurface, heat is imparted to the web causing most of the moisturecontained within the web to be evaporated. The web is then removed fromthe dryer drum by a creping blade. Creping the web, as it is formed,further reduces internal bonding within the web and increases softness.Applying the creping composition to the web during creping, on the otherhand, may increase the strength of the web.

In another embodiment the formed web is transferred to the surface ofthe rotatable heated dryer drum, which may be a Yankee dryer. The pressroll may, in one embodiment, comprise a suction pressure roll. In orderto adhere the web to the surface of the dryer drum, a creping adhesivemay be applied to the surface of the dryer drum by a spraying device.The web is adhered to the surface of the dryer drum and then creped fromthe drum using the creping blade. If desired, the dryer drum may beassociated with a hood. The hood may be used to force air against orthrough the web.

Additionally, tissue products of the present invention may be preparedby applying a creping composition at relatively low addition levels,such as less than about 12 mg of solids per square meter of dryersurface (mg/m²), such as from about 8.0 to about 12 mg/m². In certainpreferred embodiments the level of total solids add-on is about 12.0mg/m² or less, such as about 11.0 mg/m² or less, such as about 10.0mg/m² or less, such as from about 8.0 to about 12.0 mg/m². The presentinvention provides relatively modest add-on levels of crepingcompositions that balance adhesion and release of the web from the dryersurface without the build-up of deposits of organic and/or inorganiccomponents that can have a negative impact on creping efficiency.

To achieve the desired creping efficiency and tissue product properties,tissue webs may be creped using a conventional creping compositioncomprising at least one, and more preferably at least two, water-solublepolymers. For purposes herein, “water-soluble” means that the polymersdissolve completely in water to give a solution as opposed to a latex,dispersion, or suspension of undissolved particles. Suitable watersoluble polymers may be selected from the group consisting ofpolyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resin, polyamine-epichlorohydrin resin,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylamine, polyethyleneimine, polyacrylamide,polymethacrylamide, poly(acryiic acid), poly(methacrylic acid),poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate), poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate),poly(n-vinyl pyrrolidinone), poly(ethylene oxide), hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, guar gum, starch, agar, chitosan,alginic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, highly branched polyamidoaminesand their reaction product with epichlorohydrin and silyl-linkedpolyamidoamines.

The water-soluble adhesive preferably comprises one or morecrosslinkable polymers. Crosslinkable polymers useful in the presentinvention can include, for example, crosslinkable natural polymers,crosslinkable synthetic polymers, crosslinkable thermoplastic polymersor thermosetting polymers, or any combinations thereof. Thecrosslinkable polymers can be, for example, homopolymers, copolymers,block copolymers, multi-stage polymers, star polymers, or anycombinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of polymer chemistriesinclude, but are not limited to polyamides, polyvinyl alcohols,starches, cellulosics, poly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrins (PAAEs)polymers, polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) polymers, polyethyleneimine(PEI) polymers, ionene polymers, polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds(polyquats).

In certain preferred embodiments the creping composition comprises awater soluble adhesive which may be applied together with a watersoluble release agent to the drying surface through the same spray boomor other coating applicator. In a particularly preferred embodiment thewater soluble adhesive comprises a poly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrins(PAAE) polymer, a polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) polymers or apolyethyleneimine (PEI) polymer. Particularly preferred are PAEpolymers, such those commercially sold under the trade names Kymene™,Crepetrol™ and Rezosol™ (Solenis, Wilmington, Del.) and Bubond™ (BuckmanLaboratories International Inc., Memphis, Tenn.). Particularly usefuladhesives include polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin polymers sold under thetrade name Bubond™, such as Bubond™ 2624 or Bubond™ 2653.

Suitable creping release agents include, for example, the release agentsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,660,687 and 5,833,806, incorporated hereinby reference in a manner consistent with the present invention. Incertain instances, the release agent comprises a crosslinkablepoly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrins (PAAE) polymer or a crosslinkablepolyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) polymer such as those commerciallyavailable under the trade names Rezosol™ (Solenis, Wilmington, Del.) andBusperse™ (Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Memphis, Tenn.).Particularly useful release agents may include those commercially underthe trade name Bubond® 2097 or Bubond® 2906.

In addition to the adhesive and release agents, creping compositionsuseful in the present invention may further comprise surfactants,dispersants, salts to adjust the water hardness, modifiers,anti-corrosion agents, fillers, opacity agents, whiteners, crosslinkingagents, or other useful additives. For example, the creping compositionmay include an additive to minimize corrosion of the dryer surface suchas those sold under the trade name Butrol™ (Buckman LaboratoriesInternational Inc., Memphis, Tenn.).

In certain embodiments the amount of release agent may be increasedrelative to the amount of adhesive agent such that the ratio of adhesiveagent to release agent (on a mass basis) is from about 1.5:1 to about0.75:1, such as from about 1.25:1 to about 0.8:1. For example, in oneembodiment the adhesive component may be applied to the dryer surfacearea at an add-on of about 5.00 mg/m² and the release agent may beapplied to the dryer surface at an add-on of about 4.00 mg/m². In otherembodiments the amount of release agent may exceed the amount ofadhesive, such as the release agent applied to the dryer surface at anadd-on of about 5.00 mg/m² and the adhesive applied to the dryer surfaceat an add-on of about 4.00 mg/m².

After the tissue web has been dried and creped, it may be subjected toone or more well-known converting processes such as surface treatment.In one particularly preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the driedand creped tissue web is treated with a softening composition. Hence inone aspect, the invention provides a conventional wet-pressed, creped,tissue product having a topically-applied softening composition. Incertain embodiments the softening composition may comprise, one morepolysiloxanes, a fatty alkyl derivative and glycerin. In otherembodiments the softening composition may comprise polyethylene glycolhaving a molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 10,000 g/mol, one ormore polysiloxanes and glycerin. Useful softening compositions aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,662 to Lang et al. and U.S. Pat. No.10,988,900 to Lee et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in a manner consistent with the present invention.

The amount of the softening composition actives in the tissue can be,based on the dry weight of the tissue, from about 0.2 to about 20 weightpercent, more specifically from about 0.2 to about 10 weight percent,more specifically from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent and stillmore specifically from about 1 to about 3 weight percent.

As used herein, the term “dry” weight percent in reference to acomposition or tissue sheet containing a composition means that theamount of free water or other volatile components in the composition ortissue product are ignored. Stated differently, the “dry” weight percentis intended to represent the amount of “active components” in thecomposition. Therefore, for tissue sheets, all recited dry weightpercent amounts refer to tissue sheets that have been aged for at leastthree (3) weeks and therefore have equilibrated with ambient conditions.The dry weight percent amounts can be determined by chemical extractionand analysis of the extract or, if the basis weight of the tissue sheetprior to treatment is known, by subtracting the basis weight of theuntreated tissue from the basis weight of the treated tissue anddividing the difference by the basis weight of the treated tissue andmultiplying by 100.

The softening composition can be applied to the tissue sheet in the formof a neat blend, an aqueous solution, or an aqueous emulsion. Whenapplied as an aqueous solution or an aqueous emulsion, the concentrationof the softening composition in the aqueous solution or aqueous emulsioncan be from about 35 to about 80 weight percent, more specifically fromabout 40 to about 70 weight percent and still more specifically fromabout 45 to about 70 weight percent. Suitable methods of applying thesoftening composition to the sheet, either directly or indirectly,include printing or spraying.

The amount of polysiloxane in the softening composition, based on thetotal amount of actives in the composition, can be from about 1 to about40 weight percent, more specifically from about 1 to about 30 weightpercent, more specifically from about 1 to about 20 weight percent andstill more specifically from about 1 to about 10 weight percent.Polysiloxanes useful for purposes of this invention can have one or morependant functional groups such as amine, quaternium, aldehyde, epoxy,hydroxy, alkoxyl, polyether and carboxylic acid and its derivatives,such as amides and esters.

In certain instances the softening composition may optionally includeglycerin. When incorporated in the softening composition, the amount ofglycerin in the softening composition can be from about 5 to about 40weight percent, more particularly from about 10 to about 30 weightpercent, and still more particularly from about 15 to about 20 weightpercent.

In other instances, the softening composition may comprise a fatty alkylderivative. Examples of commercially available fatty alkyl derivativesuseful in the softening compositions of the present invention include,for example, 9-EO ethoxylated tridecylalcohol, Ceteth-10, Ceteth-12(12-EO ethoxylated cetyl alcohol) and Ceteth-20. More particularly,suitable commercially available fatty alkyl derivatives includePluraface A-38, Macol CSA 20 and Macol LA 12 from BASF; Armeen 16D,Armeen 18D, Armeen HTD, Armeen 2C, Armeen M2HT, Armeen 380, Ethomeen18/15 Amid 0, Witconate 90, Witconate AOK, and Witcolate C from AkzoNobel, and Tergitol 15-S-9, Tergitol 15-S-7, Tergitol 15-S-12, TergitolTMN-6, Tergitol TMN-10, Tergitol XH, Tergitol XDLW, and Tergitol RW-50from Dow Chemical.

The amount of fatty alkyl derivative in the softening composition canbe, based on the total amount of actives in the composition, from about10 to about 50 weight percent, more specifically from about 20 to about50 weight percent, and still more specifically from about 30 to about 50weight percent.

In still other instances the softening composition may comprise apolyhydroxy compound and more preferably a relatively high moleculeweight polyhydroxy compound, such as a polyhydroxy compound having amolecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol. A particularly preferredpolyhydroxy compound has a molecular weight of greater than about 4,000g/mol. As such the molecule weight of polyhydroxy compound may rangefrom about 1,000 to about 12,000 g/mol and more preferably from about1,500 to about 10,000 g/mol and still more preferably from about 6,000to about 8,000 g/mol. Examples of polyhydroxy compounds useful in thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycolsand polypropylene glycols having a molecular weight of at least about1,000 g/mol.

The softening composition may also comprise one or more formulationaids. Suitable formulation aids include, without limitation,emulsifiers, co-solvent, anti-foaming agents and preservatives. Suitableskin beneficial agents include, without limitation, aloe, vitamin-E,chamomile, and α-hydroxy acids.

TEST METHODS Basis Weight

Prior to testing, all samples are conditioned under TAPPI conditions(23±1° C. and 50±2 percent relative humidity) for a minimum of four (4)hours. Basis weight of the sample is measured by selecting twelve (12)products (also referred to as sheets) of the sample and making two (2)stacks of six (6) sheets. In the event the sample consists of perforatedsheets of bath or towel tissue, the perforations must be aligned on thesame side when stacking the usable units. A precision cutter is used tocut each stack into exactly 10.16×10.16 cm (4.0×4.0 inch) squares. Thetwo stacks of cut squares are combined to make a basis weight pad oftwelve (12) squares thick. The basis weight pad is then dried in acommercial oven (e.g. Blue M Industrial Ovens serial #10089811 fromThermal Product Solutions or equivalent) and maintained at 105±2° C. for60±5 minutes.

The dried basis weight pad is removed from the oven and then weighed ona top loading balance with a minimum resolution of 0.01 grams. The toploading balance must be protected from air drafts and other disturbancesusing a draft shield. Weights are recorded when the readings on the toploading balance become constant. The mass of the sample (grams) per unitarea (square meters) is calculated and reported as the basis weight,having units of grams per square meter (gsm).

Caliper

Caliper is measured in accordance with TAPPI Test Method T 580 pm-12“Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, napkin and facial products.” Themicrometer used for carrying out caliper measurements is an Emveco 200-ATissue Caliper Tester (Emveco, Inc., Newberg, Oreg.). The micrometer hasa load of 2 kilopascals, a pressure foot area of 2,500 squaremillimeters, a pressure foot diameter of 56.42 millimeters, a dwell timeof 3 seconds and a lowering rate of 0.8 millimeters per second.

Tensile

Tensile testing is conducted on a tensile testing machine maintaining aconstant rate of elongation and the width of each specimen tested is 3inches. Testing is conducted under TAPPI conditions. Prior to testingsamples are conditioned under TAPPI conditions (23±1° C. and 50±2percent relative humidity) for at least 4 hours and then cutting a3±0.05 inches (76.2±1.3 mm) wide strip in either the machine direction(MD) or cross-machine direction (CD) orientation using a JDC PrecisionSample Cutter (Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa.,Model No. JDC 3-10, Serial No. 37333) or equivalent. The instrument usedfor measuring tensile strengths was an MTS Systems Sintech 11S, SerialNo. 6233. The data acquisition software was MTS TestWorks™ for WindowsVer. 3.10 (MTS Systems Corp., Research Triangle Park, N.C.). The loadcell was selected from either a 50 Newton or 100 Newton maximum,depending on the strength of the sample being tested, such that themajority of peak load values fall between 10 to 90 percent of the loadcell's full-scale value. The gauge length between jaws was 4±0.04 inches(101.6±1 mm) for facial tissue and towels and 2±0.02 inches (50.8±0.5mm) for bath tissue. The crosshead speed was 10±0.4 inches/min (254±1mm/min), and the break sensitivity was set at 65 percent. The sample wasplaced in the jaws of the instrument, centered both vertically andhorizontally. The test was then started and ended when the specimenbroke. The peak load was recorded as either the “MD tensile strength” orthe “CD tensile strength” of the specimen depending on direction of thesample being tested. Ten representative specimens were tested for eachproduct or sheet and the arithmetic average of all individual specimentests was recorded as the appropriate MD or CD tensile strength havingunits of grams per three inches (g/3″). Tensile energy absorbed (TEA)and slope are also calculated by the tensile tester. TEA is reported inunits of g·cm/cm2 and slope is recorded in units of kilograms (kg). BothTEA and Slope are directionally dependent and thus MD and CD directionsare measured independently.

All products were tested in their product forms without separating intoindividual plies. For example, a 2-ply product was tested as two pliesand recorded as such. In the tensile properties of basesheets weremeasured, the number of plies used varied depending on the intended enduse. For example, if the basesheet was intended to be used for 2-plyproduct, two plies of basesheet were combined and tested.

Wet CD Tensile

Wet tensile strength measurements are measured in the same manner asdescribed for dry tensile above, but after the center portion of thepreviously conditioned sample strip has been saturated with distilledwater and immediately prior to loading the specimen into the tensiletest equipment. Sample wetting is performed by first laying a singletest strip onto a piece of blotter paper (Fiber Mark, Reliance Basis120). A pad is then used to wet the sample strip prior to testing. Thepad is a green, Scotch-Brite brand (3M) general purpose commercialscrubbing pad. To prepare the pad for testing, a full-size pad is cutapproximately 2.5 inches long by 4 inches wide. A piece of masking tapeis wrapped around one of the 4 inch long edges. The taped side thenbecomes the “top” edge of the wetting pad. To wet a tensile strip, thetester holds the top edge of the pad and dips the bottom edge inapproximately 0.25 inches of distilled water located in a wetting pan.After the end of the pad has been saturated with water, the pad is thentaken from the wetting pan and the excess water is removed from the padby lightly tapping the wet edge three times across a wire mesh screen.The wet edge of the pad is then gently placed across the sample,parallel to the width of the sample, in the approximate center of thesample strip. The pad is held in place for approximately one second andthen removed and placed back into the wetting pan. The wet sample isthen immediately inserted into the tensile grips, so the wetted area isapproximately centered between the upper and lower grips. The test stripshould be centered both horizontally and vertically between the grips.(It should be noted that if any of the wetted portion comes into contactwith the grip faces, the specimen must be discarded, and the jaws driedoff before resuming testing.) The tensile test is then performed, andthe peak load recorded as the wet CD tensile strength of this specimen.As with the dry CD tensile test, the characterization of a product isdetermined by the average of ten representative sample measurements.

Tissue Softness Analyzer

Softness and surface smoothness were measured using an EMTEC TissueSoftness Analyzer (“TSA”) (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany). TheTSA comprises a rotor with vertical blades which rotate on the tissuesample applying a defined contact pressure. The blades are pressedagainst the sample with a load of 100 mN and the rotational speed of theblades is two revolutions per second. Contact between the verticalblades and the tissue sample creates vibrations, which are sensed by avibration sensor. The sensor transmits a signal to a PC for processingand display. The signal is displayed as a frequency spectrum. Thefrequency spectrum is analyzed by the associated TSA software todetermine the amplitude of the frequency peak occurring in the rangebetween 200 to 1000 Hz. This peak is generally referred to as the TS750value (having units of dB V2 rms) and represents the surface smoothnessof the tissue sample. A high amplitude peak correlates to a roughersurface, while a low amplitude peak correlates to a smoother surface. Afurther peak in the frequency range between 6 and 7 kHZ represents thesoftness of the sample. The peak in the frequency range between 6 and 7kHZ is herein referred to as the TS7 value (having units of dB V2 rms).The lower the amplitude of the peak occurring between 6 and 7 kHZ, thesofter the sample.

Tissue product samples were prepared by cutting a circular sample havinga diameter of 112.8 mm. All samples were allowed to equilibrate at TAPPIconditions for at least 24 hours prior to completing the TSA testing.After conditioning each sample was tested as is, i.e., multi-plyproducts were tested without separating the sample into individualplies. The sample is secured, and the measurements are started via thePC. The PC records, processes and stores all of the data according tostandard TSA protocol. The reported TS750 and TS7 values are the averageof five replicates, each one with a new sample.

EXAMPLES

Samples were made using a conventional wet-pressed tissue-making processon a commercial tissue machine. The tissue products consisted of three,substantially identical tissue plies. Each individual ply consisted ofthree layers with machine broke and eucalyptus hardwood kraft (EHWK)making up the fabric contacting layer, Northern softwood kraft (NSWK)making up the center layer and EHWK making the dryer layer. Strengthadditives were added to the NSWK making up the center layer. The amountof Kymene™ 920A added to the NSWK varied as set forth in Table 2, below.FennoBond™ 3000 was also added to the NSWK as set forth in Table 2,below.

The pulp fibers from the machine chests were pumped to the headbox at aconsistency of about 0.02 percent. Pulp fibers from each machine chestwere sent through separate manifolds in the headbox to create a3-layered tissue structure. The fibers were deposited onto an S-WrapTwin Wire type of former.

The formed, wet tissue web, having a consistency of about 10 percent,was vacuum dewatered and then transferred to a Tissue Flex V3 press felt(Voith Fabric & Roll Systems Inc., Appleton, Wis.). The partiallydewatered tissue web, supported by the press felt, was passed throughthe nip of a pressure roll, to increase the consistency of the web toabout 40 percent. The tissue web was then adhered to the Yankee dryer,which had been treated with a creping composition by spraying thecreping composition onto the dryer surface using a spray boom situatedunderneath the dryer.

TABLE 2 Release Adhesive Kymene ™ FennoBond ™ Agent Agent 920A 3000Add-on Add-on Sample (dry lb/MT) (dry lb/MT) (mg/m²) (mg/m²) Control 15.60 1.79 4.0 5.0 Control 2 2.97 4.69 4.0 5.0 Inventive 1 3.09 1.07 4.05.0 Inventive 2 3.92 0.18 5.0 4.0 Inventive 3 4.47 0.25 5.0 6.3

The creping compositions generally comprised a mixture of Bubond™ 2653(adhesive agent) and Busperse™ 2097 (release agent) (BuckmanLaboratories International Inc., Memphis, Tenn.). The relative add-on ofthe adhesive and release agents for each of the samples is detailed inTable 2. Creping compositions were prepared by dissolution of the solidpolymers into water followed by stirring until the solution washomogeneous. Individual polymers were diluted depending on the desiredspray coverage on the Yankee dryer. Alternatively, flow rates of thepolymer solutions were varied to provide the desired amount of solids tothe base web.

The sheet was dried to about 98 percent consistency as it traveled onthe Yankee dryer and to the creping blade. The Yankee dryer was heatedwith 105 psi of steam pressure to dry the sheet to a target sheettemperature of 230° F. before the creping blade. The Yankee dryer wastraveling at about 5300 FPM, unless otherwise noted. The creping blade(75 Softcrepe™ commercially available from BTG, Eclépens, Switzerland)with a 15 degree grind angle was loaded against the dryer surface andsubsequently scraped the tissue sheet off of the Yankee dryer. The creperatio was 1.30. The creped tissue base sheet was then wound onto a corefor converting.

Individual tissue webs were plied together to form a 3-ply tissueproduct, which was calendered with two steel rolls. The calendered 3-plytissue product was then subjected to topical treatment with a softeningcomposition, which was applied by offset gravure printing. The add-onlevels where controlled by reducing the speed of the gravure rollrelative to the speed of the offset roll. The softening compositioncomprised a polysiloxane (AF-2340 commercially available from WackerChemical), a fatty alkyl derivative (Tergitol 15-S-9 commerciallyavailable from Dow Chemical Co.) and glycerin. The resulting 3-plytreated tissue products were subject to physical testing as describedabove, the results of which are summarized in Tables 3 and 4, below.

TABLE 3 Per-Ply Basis Basis Weight Weight MDT CDT GMT GMT: Sample (gsm)(gsm) (g/3″) (g/3″) (g/3″) PPBW Control 1 39.27 13.09 1274 637 901 69Control 2 39.67 13.22 1644 740 1103 83 Inventive 1 43.62 14.54 1485 6801005 69 Inventive 2 43.17 14.39 1527 691 1027 71 Inventive 3 43.67 14.561575 705 1053 72

TABLE 4 MD CD GM Stiff- Absor- Wet CD Slope Slope Slope ness bency CDTWet: Sample (kg) (kg) (kg) Index (g/g) TS7 (g/3″) Dry Control 1 9.8713.75 11.65 12.94 9.8 10.6 183 0.29 Control 2 10.46 15.54 12.75 11.559.7 11.9 203 0.27 Inventive 1 9.69 13.72 11.53 11.47 9.1 10.2 178 0.26Inventive 2 9.67 15.10 12.09 11.77 9.0 9.6 172 0.25 Inventive 3 10.5614.06 12.19 11.57 8.8 9.5 181 0.26

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to theforegoing specification and examples, the following embodiments, as wellas equivalents thereof, are within the scope of the invention. Thus, ina first embodiment the present invention provides a creped tissueproduct comprising three plies, each ply having a basis weight of about14.0 gsm or greater, the tissue product having a geometric mean tensile(GMT) of about 1,000 g/3″ or greater and a TS7 of about 10.0 or less.

In a second embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of the first embodiment having a GMT from about 1,000 to about1,200 g/3″.

In a third embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of the first or second embodiments having a per-ply basis weightfrom about 14.0 to about 15.0 gsm per ply.

In a fourth embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through third embodiments having a basisweight from about 42.0 to about 45.0 gsm.

In a fifth embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through fourth embodiments having aratio of tensile strength (measured as geometric mean tensile strengthand having units of grams per three inches), to per-ply basis weight(bone dry basis weight having units of grams per square meter) in therange from about 70 to about 75.

In a sixth embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through fifth embodiments having a GMTfrom about 1,000 to about 1,200 g/3″ and a geometric mean slope (GMSlope) of about 12.0 kg or less.

In a seventh embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through sixth embodiments having a TS7value from 8.0 to 10.0.

In an eighth embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through seventh embodiments having a GMTfrom about 1,050 to about 1,200 g/3″, and a Stiffness Index from about10.0 to about 12.0.

In a ninth embodiment the present invention provides the creped tissueproduct of any one of the first through eighth embodiments wherein thetissue product has a first outer surface, a second outer surface and asoftening composition disposed on at least the first or second outersurface.

In a tenth embodiment the present invention provides a method ofproducing a creped tissue product comprising the steps of: dispersingcellulosic fibers to form a fiber slurry, disposing the fiber slurry ona forming fabric to form a wet tissue web, partially dewatering the wettissue web, applying a conventional creping composition to a dryersurface, such as a Yankee dryer, pressing the partially dewatered tissueweb to the dryer surface, drying the tissue web, creping the driedtissue web from the dryer surface, plying three tissue webs together,wherein each ply of the tissue product has a basis weight of about 14.0gsm or greater, and the product has a GMT from 1,000 to about 1,200 g/3″and TS7 value from about 8.0 to about 10.0.

In an eleventh embodiment the present invention provides the method ofthe tenth embodiment wherein the creping composition comprises awater-soluble adhesive and a water-soluble release agent wherein thecreping composition add-on ranges from about 8.0 to about 12.0 mg/m² andthe ratio of adhesive agent to release agent (on a mass basis) is fromabout 1.5:1 to about 0.75:1.

1. “tissue product comprising three creped, wet-pressed tissue plies,each ply having a basis weight of about 14.0 grams per square meter(gsm) or greater, the tissue product having a first outer surface, asecond outer surface and a softening composition disposed on at leastthe first or second outer surface, the tissue product having a geometricmean tensile (GMT) of about 1,000 g/3″ or greater and a TS7 of about10.0 or less.
 2. The tissue product of claim 1 having a TS7 value from8.0 to 10.0.
 3. The tissue product of claim 1 wherein the tissue producthas a GMT from 1,000 to about 1,200 g/3″.
 4. The tissue product of claim1 wherein the tissue product has a Stiffness Index from about 10.0 toabout 12.0.
 5. The tissue product of claim 1 wherein the tissue producthas a basis weight from about 42.0 to about 45.0 gsm.
 6. The tissueproduct of claim 1 wherein the softening composition comprises apolysiloxane, a fatty-alkyl derivative and glycerin.
 7. The tissueproduct of claim 1 wherein the softening composition comprises fromabout 5 to about 40 weight percent polysiloxane, from about 10 to about50 weight percent of a fatty alkyl derivative, and from about 20 toabout 80 weight percent glycerin.
 8. The tissue product of claim 1comprising from about 0.2 to about 10.0 weight percent softeningcomposition.
 9. The tissue product of claim 1 wherein the tissue producthas a basis weight from about 43.0 to about 45.0 gsm, a GMT from 1,000to 1,200 g/3″ and a Stiffness Index less than about 20.0.
 10. The tissueproduct of claim 1 wherein the tissue product has a basis weight fromabout 43.0 to about 45.0 gsm, a GMT from 1,000 to 1,200 g/3″ and a TS7value from 8.0 to 10.0.
 11. The tissue product of claim 1 wherein theratio of product geometric mean tensile strength, having units of gramsper three inches, to per-ply basis weight, having units of grams persquare meter, is from 70.0 to 75.0.
 12. The tissue product of claim 1wherein the tissue product has a basis weight from about 43.0 to about45.0 gsm, a GMT from 1,000 to 1,200 g/3″ and the ratio of productgeometric mean tensile strength, having units of grams per three inches,to per-ply basis weight, having units of grams per square meter, is from70.0 to 75.0.
 13. The tissue product of claim 1 wherein each crepedwet-pressed tissue ply comprises a first layer and a second layer, thefirst layer comprising hardwood pulp fibers and the second layerconsisting essentially of softwood pulp fibers.
 14. The tissue productof claim 1 wherein each creped wet-pressed tissue ply has an outersurface and a creping composition comprising a water soluble adhesiveand a water soluble release agent disposed thereon.
 15. “creped wetpressed tissue product comprising a first creped wet pressed tissue plyhaving a basis weight of 14.0 grams per square meter (gsm) or greater, asecond creped wet pressed tissue ply having a basis weight of 14.0 gsmor greater and a third creped wet pressed tissue ply having a basisweight of 14.0 gsm or greater, wherein the tissue product has ageometric mean tensile (GMT) from 1,000 to 1,200 g/3″ and a TS7 valuefrom 8.0 to 10.0.
 16. The tissue product of claim 15 wherein the tissueproduct has a basis weight from about 42.0 to about 45.0 gsm.
 17. Thetissue product of claim 15 wherein the tissue product comprises asoftening composition disposed on a first or a second outer surfacethereof and the softening composition comprises a polysiloxane, afatty-alkyl derivative and glycerin.
 18. “method of producing a crepedtissue product comprising the steps of: a. dispersing cellulosic fibersto form a fiber slurry; b. disposing the fiber slurry on a formingfabric to form a wet tissue web; c. partially dewatering the wet tissueweb; d. applying a creping composition comprising a water-solubleadhesive and a water-soluble release agent to a dryer surface whereinthe creping composition add-on ranges from about 8.0 to about 12.0 mg/m²and the ratio of adhesive agent to release agent (on a mass basis) isfrom about 1.5:1 to about 0.75:1; e. pressing the partially dewateredtissue web to the dryer surface; f. drying the tissue web; g. crepingthe dried tissue web from the dryer surface to yield a creped,wet-pressed tissue ply; and h. plying three creped, wet-pressed tissueplies together to a form a tissue product.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein the adhesive and the release agent are different water solublepolymers selected from the group comprising polyvinyl alcohol, starch,carboxy-methyl cellulose, poly(aminoamide)-epichlorohydrin (P″″ E),polyamide epichlorohydrin (P″ E), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and polymericquaternary ammonium compounds.
 20. The method of claim 18 furthercomprising the step of topically apply a softening composition to thetissue product wherein the softening composition comprises apolysiloxane, a fatty-alkyl derivative and glycerin.